Shannon O'Brien on Government Reform

Former State Treasurer; Democratic Challenger MA Governor

Will hold state accountable for revenue and spending

insist on consensus revenue estimates, to be decided by economic experts, so we know how much the state can spend before it is spent

implement multi-year revenue and spending projections, which would be constantly reviewed

take
the politics out of the authorizations of capital projects. Instead, I will demand that prioritization of these projects be based on specific criteria such as development impact, number of people served, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact.

Passed whistle-blower law; restored Treasury after scandal

Since taking office in January of 1999, Treasurer O’Brien has been working diligently to improve operations at every level of the Treasury and Lottery. She instituted critical new policies to safeguard taxpayer funds and restore public confidence
in the office of the Treasurer in the wake of the largest public corruption scandal in Massachusetts’ history, involving the theft of nearly $10 million from the Treasury from 1992 to 1998.

Prior to becoming State Treasurer,
Shannon served in the Massachusetts Legislature, first in the House of Representatives from 1987 to 1992, then in the State Senate from 1993 to 1995. As a legislator, Shannon created new jobs through an investment tax credit,
lowered health insurance costs for cities and towns, passed a whistle-blower bill to prevent waste and fraud in state government, fought to control water and sewer rates, and led the drive to protect abused and neglected children.